Aldridge Overcomes Obstacles in 230-kV Creek Project
In mid-October 2002, Conectiv Power Delivery (Carneys Point, New Jersey, U.S.) awarded Aldridge Electric's Drilling Division (Libertyville, Illinois, U.S.) the Mickleton Mantua Creek 230-kV power-line project located in Gloucester County, New Jersey.
This project is one of many steps in upgrading the transmission line through the use of single poles instead of lattice towers. The single poles give the power company better use of the rights of way (R/W) and are more aesthetically pleasing.
Through the course of the project, technical difficulties were encountered. The water table was quite high, and the ground was composed of sand, which could collapse under pressure. This situation was remedied by keeping five 20,000-gal (75,708-liter) tanks of water on site, enabling the contractor to pour water into each hole as required to maintain a positive pressure on the walls during the drilling process. There were also road-access issues. Over the course of the project, Aldridge Drilling provided 7500 ft (2286 m) of temporary wooden mat roadway to solve the problem for everyone working for more power within the confines of the R/W.
Aldridge Drilling drilled a series of 15 foundations over 3.7 miles (6 km) to connect two electrical substations. The holes ranged from 7 to 10 ft (2 to 3 m) in diameter with depths up to 52.5 ft (16 m).
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